Lakers vs. Nets: Biggest Matchup Problems for LA

The Los Angeles Lakers have some weapons in their starting lineup, but they will face difficulty tonight against Brooklyn as long as Dwight Howard remains benched with a torn labrum.

Howard aggravated his shoulder on Wednesday in Phoenix, and as a result did not play Sunday against Detroit.

On Sunday, the center told the Orange County Register, “I’m not going to try to rush myself back and have the possibility of hurting it again. There’s no need for that.” As it seems, Howard will sit out tonight, leaving the low post to veteran Pau Gasol and bench players Antawn Jamison and Robert Sacre.

Though Gasol played well against Detroit after returning from his concussion, the fact remains that the forward-center is old and needs to watch his minutes. Gasol has 11 years in the NBA under his belt, and at age 32, he certainly won’t be able to take on the Nets’ Brook Lopez and Reggie Evans single-handedly.

What’s more, Gasol injured his right foot during the Lakers’ loss at Phoenix on Wednesday, an injury that may return to haunt him in coming games despite his ability to play on Sunday. Undoubtedly, Gasol will have to spend some time resting on the bench tonight.

That leaves Antawn Jamison to take over the position of power forward. With 14 years in the league, Jamison probably gets winded as easily as Gasol. Though he has a decent 8.0 points and 4.4 rebounds in 20.0 minutes per game for the Lakers’ 2012-13 season, Jamison does not fair so well against New Jersey. When playing the Nets, Jamison has no steals, no blocks, and only 2.0 points in 9.0 minutes of game play.

His statistics pale in comparison to those of Nets power forward Reggie Evans. Evans averages 8.8 rebounds and a field-goal percentage of .495 in 22.1 minutes per game this season. Against the Lakers, Evans averages an impressive 11.0 rebounds in 19.0 minutes of game play.


Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers